Hermann zapf

Palatino (Hermann Zapf)

Hermann Zapf hommage

Typographic work, poster creation on the Art of Hermann Zapf (well-known German typographer)

In the next couple of months Jerry Kelly will be announcing his biography of Hermann Zapf. Kelly is the foremost authority on Zapf and has been working on this for a few years. Although the book will not be printed until next year, it will be announced on Kickstarter this Fall. Well, I can’t wait. So, here is a teaser: The book will be 6.5 x 9.5 inches, hardcover, around 400 pages with almost as many illustrations, at least a quarter of which have rarely or never before been

Typographic poster

Hermann Zapf -- 1966

Johnston abandoned his medical studies in Edinburgh and set off for London to "go in for art". He had a stroke of luck. He was put in charge of 'illuminating' classes at the Central School of Arts and Crafts. He is considered the 'father' of the 20th century revival of formal lettering. His most well-known design is the block letter for London Underground, which is based on Classical Roman proportions.

Hermann Zapf, detail of calligraphic broadside with quotation by Douglas C. McMurtrie, 1959. Produced by About Alphabets, 1960. Via eyeondesign.aiga

Hermann Zapf (pronounced “tsáff”), the iconic calligrapher, type designer, and typographer whose Palatino, Optima, Zapfino, Melior, Aldus, and the quirky, yet very beloved, Zapf Dingbats fon...

A hi-fi capture from the foundry ephemera collection at Letterform Archive. See more Optima in the Online Archive.